BIFUNC-NANOCAT

Designing Bifunctional Nano-Alloy Catalysts for Bio-Renewable Feedstock Valorisation

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The principal goal of “BIFUNC-NANOCAT” is to develop efficient and selective bi-functional catalyst systems having both acid/base catalysed and an oxidation functionalities for the valorisation of biomass to produce bulk/speciality chemicals effectively in an environmentally benign route. Oxidative valorisation of the lignin and cellulosic constituents of biomass for the production of value added products by bi-functional heterogeneous catalysts using environmentally benign oxidants like O2 or H2O2 in a green solvent medium is the key aspect. The proposed bifunctional nano-alloy catalyst will also be tested for the oxidation of bio-renewable feedstock materials (platform molecules) and model compounds using green oxidants like O2 or H2O2 in an ionic liquid medium replacing stoichiometric oxidants like permanganates or chromates. We intend to use the catalysed oxidative dehydrogenation of bio-renewable benzylic alcohols (e.g., veratryl alcohol, vanillyl alcohol and cinnamyl alcohol) as a substrate activating strategy for the synthesis of amines, benzimidazoles, and as a general strategy for the N-alkylation of amines in a single pot. In situ spectroscopic techniques, like ATR-IR, UV-Vis, Raman, along with X-ray absorption methods (e.g. XAFS, including XANES and EXAFS as well as related microscopy methods, such as STXM), coupled with isotopic labelling studies would be employed to understand the interaction between substrates and catalysts, especially to characterize the adsorbed species and the compositional effects of the nano-alloys made and during catalytic reaction. It is proposed to study the feasibility of performing some of the above mentioned reactions in a continuous fashion using different reactors like fixed bed reactor (FBR), micropacked bed reactors (MPBR).'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Transformation of biomass into valuable materials (valorisation) reduces the burden on landfills, provides eco-friendly products and enhances sustainability. Novel catalysts may soon simplify processing and yield many products simultaneously.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Utilising by-products of agricultural waste and food-processing streams requires efficient, effective and green catalyst systems. EU-funded scientists delivered such systems with work on the project 'Designing bifunctional nano-alloy catalysts for bio-renewable feedstock valorisation' (BIFUNC-NANOCAT).

Bi-metallic nanoalloy-based catalysts such as gold-palladium have reportedly high activity in many oxidation or reduction single-step organic transformations. Scientists expanded the repertoire by adding ruthenium-palladium nanoalloys. They prepared both bi-metallic nanoalloy-based catalysts using a pioneering anion-excess modification of the conventional wet-impregnation method (MIm) developed by a project researcher.

Investigators characterised these nanoalloy-based catalysts with a plethora of advanced microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Most importantly, researchers demonstrated the efficacy of these bi-metallic nanoalloy-based catalysts in catalysing multiple reactions in a cascade. Reactions included both oxidation and reduction for 'one-pot' synthesis and valorisation.

More efficient and effective catalysts will open the door to greater exploitation and valorisation of biomass. Potential products range from biofuels to additives for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Beneficiaries exist all along the supply chain, not to mention consumers and the environment.